Compared to the last winter, there were fewer birds at my feeders until late December. After the first big snowfall, followed by the unforgettable ice storm on December 21st.,my bird feeders were suddenly needing to be replenished twice a day. The trees and bushes were covered with at least one inch of ice making it a challenge for the birds to access seeds and bugs. Many varieties of birds, not to mention the squirrels, began “flocking” to the feeders!
As well as the black oiled sunflower seeds which I normally provide, I began putting out processed suet cakes and real beef suet in metal holders and even in mesh bags. The suet was mainly for the woodpeckers which I had noticed in increasing numbers pecking at the old maples in our yard. I was delighted to see that as well as the little downy and larger hairy woodpeckers, a female red bellied woodpecker was coming into the yard every day. Many people who feed birds, have never seen a red bellied woodpecker and “ours” is now a regular visitor! Time after time, I could hear her unusual call from high in the trees and tried many times to get a nice clear photo of this 9 inch woodpecker when she was not clinging to one of the feeders. In the photos that follow, you will see that I “captured” her closer to eye level and also got some nice close-ups of the other woodpeckers.
NOTE: The red bellied woodpecker has a red “cap”…the female’s does not extend over the top of her head like a male’s. The name “red belly” is for me a bit misleading as you hardly ever see the light pink feathers on their “tummies”.
Jane Walker's Cards 
Beautiful photos Jane ! Happy New Year, I hope you are doing well
Glad you like them. Happy New Year to you. I hope it is a great year. Jane
Very nice pictures Jane.
Hi Jane Happy New Year. The pictures are beautiful . Thanks for sharing.
Gloria
Happy New year to you, too. I’m so fortunate to have so many feathered visitors here at the farm and a good camera.
Those are great! I’m so envious; I haven’t seen any woodpeckers since the fall! Now that I’ve put out some suet, maybe they’ll come.
I, too, am amazed to see more than 10 in the yard at one time. It certainly wasn’t like that last year. It does seem that the suet helps once they discover it.
Enjoyed the pictures.
Thanks, Kathy. Glad you liked them!
Jane
Feeling sorry for nature’s little creatures. Thank fully there are people like you!
Yes Gayle, they do need lots of care which translates into lots of black oiled sunflower seeds and suet. There are a lot of “us” out there looking after these creatures.